Grafton County sits between the Connecticut River and the White Mountains in the northwestern side of the state. It was named for Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, who had been an enthusiast of the American colonies and their needs. in Parliament, he was served as British Prime Minister, and promoted the needs and welfare of the colonists.

Woodsville was the center of civilization in 1771, when the rest of the area was viewed as untamed wilderness. Grafton County is both high-tech and rural, forward-thinking and nostalgic. This dualism of thinking has made it a favorite place for a variety of employers, employees and self-employed business people. Far from its origins as a northern "frontier town," the people and economy of Grafton County benefit from the accessibility of many highways, including I-89, I-93 and easy access to I-91.

Education is a big part of the appeal of Grafton County. Ivy League Dartmouth College in Hanover, Plymouth State University and the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest teach the leaders of tomorrow in the arts, sciences and technology.

According to CensusCharts.com, the median age of Grafton County is 37, compared with 42.5 in Carroll County and 41.5 in Coos County. This may not seem like a big difference-however it is reflected in Grafton County's unemployment rate, the lowest in the state. Between the institutions of learning, medical technology and high-tech companies, Grafton County is a leader in the state for ground-breaking innovation. It's also a desirable place to live: Progressive Farmer rated Grafton County fourth in its list of the "Best Places to Live in Rural America" in 2006.

Lakes, rivers and mountains make Grafton County a destination for a variety of activities. Major attractions in Carroll County include:

  AVA Gallery and Art Center, Lebanon

  Enfield Shake Museum, Enfield

  Franconia Notch State Park, Franconia

  Hood Museum of Art, Hanover

  Polar Caves, Rumney

  Rocks Estate, Bethlehem

  Ruggles Mine, Grafton

  Wellington State Park, Plymouth

The Tri-County Community Action Program, Inc. created (2009) a thorough and informative slideshow profile of the county available online. Grafton County has also archived some significant online galleries of community events for the years 2005-2008.